About us
We unite criminal defence lawyers across Europe and beyond…
We unite criminal defence lawyers across Europe and beyond, building a leading association dedicated to promoting the rule of law. We actively influence policy through lobbying and interventions in crucial cases.
Beyond our shared mission, we are a vibrant community where independent legal minds from diverse backgrounds come together. Our members enjoy great opportunities to connect with peers from different countries, generations, and firm sizes. Our biannual conferences and collaborative working groups generate professional growth and lasting friendships that extend far beyond the courtroom.
Our leadership, comprised of dedicated Executive Committee and Advisory Board members, ensures a supportive and engaging environment for all, continually welcoming new members and encouraging active participation.
Bringing together passionate independent legal professionals
Supporting and educating our membership
Planting the rule of law in governments and legal institutions
Where we come from
Our Genesis: A Vision for Justice
In 1997, with EU member states deepening their legal cooperation, Professor Franz Salditt and Rock Tansey QC foresaw the vital need for a strong voice to uphold the Rule of Law in criminal defence. Their vision resonated profoundly, leading to a seminal conference in Strasbourg in May 1997.
Their vision resonated profoundly, leading to a seminal conference in Strasbourg in May 1997.
The association was then officially founded in 1998, marking the birth of our dedicated community. To truly grasp the passion that ignited our cause, we invite you to hear directly from founder Franz Salditt and former Chair Han Jahae.
Video Franz Salditt — founder
Video Han Jahae — former chair
Our executives
Our members are the pulse of the ECBA, fueling our passion for the rule of law and fostering lasting relationships.
The Executive Committee and Advisory Board simply channel your invaluable contributions.
Meet us
Our Executive Committee
Our Advisory Board
Our Mission Statement
Our Constitution
Administration and Communications
Antoaneta Roman coordinates the association’s operational organisation, managing the core areas of administration, as well as internal and external communications. She also oversees the logistics and promotion of the ECBA’s international conferences.
A multilingual world citizen, Antoaneta holds an MA in Communication and joined the ECBA following extensive experience with both multinational companies and international organisations across Europe and the Americas.
She prides herself on providing dedicated support to an NGO whose core values are rooted in human rights and upholding the rule of law. An enthusiastic people person, Antoaneta is always happy to assist members and other interested parties in finding out more about our activities.
Upcoming Conferences and Webinars
Join us Friday 15 May, 2026 for the upcoming Extradition Challenges webinar
A Brussels court ordered Belgium to negotiate the return of a wrongly extradited person to the US — a landmark case discussed with Belgian defence lawyer Christophe Marchand.
EFCL Annual Conference 2026, 12 June 2026 in London, United Kingdom
Join the next EFCL Conference which will be a joint conference with the FLA in London!
ECBA Autumn Conference 2026, 2 and 3 October in Tirana, Albania
Join the next ECBA Autumn Conference in Tirana, Albania!
Get to know our network
What makes this network special is not only the outstanding legal minds from across Europe, but the way they work together: collegially, openly, and united by a shared commitment to the rule of law. In this interview series, we take a closer look at the people behind this network.
Peter Csemiczky (United Kingdom)
I am a partner at Hickman & Rose – a boutique litigation firm in London dedicated to solving criminal, regulatory, and civil law issues arising out of the criminal justice system. Running through all our work is the determination to hold the state to account…
Clara Poglia (Switzerland)
I am a Swiss-based lawyer, practising in Geneva, with a strong focus on dispute resolution. My focus is on white-collar crime, asset tracing, compliance and internal investigations…
Jean-Christophe de Block (Belgium)
I am a Belgian criminal defence lawyer based in Brussels, with a practice focused on criminal law with a strong European and International dimension…
Giulia Raona (Italy)
I am a criminal lawyer based in Milan, working across Italy, with a focus on economic criminal law. My practice primarily covers corporate, financial, and tax-related offences, assisting individuals as well as domestic and international companies…
Jan Rysinski (Poland)
I am a Polish lawyer with more than 15 years of experience, specializing in white collar crime. I lead a team that handles the full spectrum of commercial and corporate criminal matters, including cases with complex international elements…
Yuliia Kuznets (Ukraine)
I am a counsel at VB Partners, No. 1 legal boutique in White-Collar Crime in Ukraine and the undisputed leader in Dispute Resolution. I am based in Kyiv, Ukraine…
Latest Posts
Writing a new Statement on the Directive on Combatting Corruption
Preparing an ECBA follow-up position on the final EU Anti-Corruption Directive, assessing reforms and remaining defence-rights concerns in Europe’s evolving enforcement framework.
Strategic litigation and court interventions
The HRC files third-party interventions and amicus briefs in landmark cases before European and domestic courts, ensuring the criminal defence bar shapes the law that governs it.
Drafting and Publishing Statements
The HRC publishes expert statements on judicial independence, lawyer-client privilege, and fair trial rights – driving policy reform and solidarity across Europe and beyond.
Day of the Endangered Lawyer
Every January 24th, ECBA’s HRC stands with persecuted lawyers worldwide coordinating advocacy, public outreach, and legal interventions to defend those who defend others.
Mutual Legal Assistance WG Webinars
The purpose of the MLA working group webinars is to increase knowledge and awareness amongst defence practitioners about the various MLA instruments as well as procedural and other ECHR safeguards in that context.
Engaging with INTERPOL on Policy aspects
The Interpol WG seeks to engage with Interpol on policy, addressing governing shortcomings. We drive dialogue on transparency, fairness, and human rights safeguards, promoting continued improvement in its practices.
EPPO Webinar
The webinar hosts defence lawyers and academics or magistrates that discuss practical issues and experiences regarding EPPO cases from different countries. Their scope is to describe relevant defense issues and to advise the members of the ECBA on how to handle them.
Global Legal Community Calls for the Release of Nasrin Sotoudeh – April 2026
On 10 April 2026, the ECBA and a coalition of 30 international legal organisations issued a formal call for intervention concerning the judicial harassment...
ECBA backs call for implementation of ECtHR and CJEU judgments
The ECBA joined call for the implementation of European Court of Human Rights / Cour européenne des droits de l’homme (ECtHR) and Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgments.
ECBA Meets ECtHR on Case Processing and Expansion
Chair Vânia Costa Ramos and Human Rights Officer Alexis Anagnostakis attended the European Court of Human Rights’ Meeting with NGOs and Litigators in Strasbourg.
ECBA & LATR Submit Joint Response to INTERPOL’s CCF Statute Amendments
The ECBA and Lawyers Against Transnational Repression have submitted a joint response to INTERPOL’s Committee on the Processing of Data (CPD) regarding proposed amendments to the CCF Statute.
ECBA & LATR Joint Submission: Reforming INTERPOL’s Oversight – March 2026
The ECBA and Lawyers Against Transnational Repression (LATR) have submitted a joint response to INTERPOL’s Committee on the Processing of Data (CPD) regarding proposed amendments to the CCF Statute.